You would expect water in a hospital to be safe. But, far too often, water in hospitals and other health care facilities can put patients at risk of severe illness or death.

As the year comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the past year, one filled with challenge and growth for me. In order to grow, we have to learn how to overcome challenges. 

Over the last year, during several webinars and in-person events, I've spoken about the idea of systems-based thinking, which incorporates the ideas of strategic thought in the form of focus (“saying no”) and identifying and executing on coherent actions. In many ways, systems thinking (a.k.a. strategy) incorporates pattern identification. 

Plumbing engineers and designers have been talking about it for what seems like forever. Plumbing installers have been looking into ways to become more efficient. Plumbing manufacturers have been collecting the data to better size their equipment. And plumbing inspectors and plan reviewers have been acutely aware of the need for change for a long time.

What does the CSO role look like at smaller companies, such as an engineering firm? 

Of all the topics I’ve covered in my column, strategy is the one to which I keep coming back. Astute readers might be asking at this point, “Why?” Especially when we hear so often that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” and other axioms that denigrate strategy. Why does Christoph keep on writing about this “outdated” topic more than others?

Last year, during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote a couple of articles that touched on the subject of organizations coming up with solutions during chaotic situations. 

In my last column, we discussed #growthmindset and how it is necessary to take intentional steps during your career (and life) to improve. 

“You may be whatever you resolve to be.”

In the United States, we are very goal oriented. We have annual goals.